Car-loading apparatus



(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

D. G. BOYGB. GAR LOADING APPARATUS,

No. 503,364. Patented Aug. 151893.

WITNESSES: INVENTOR moansv l (N0 Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet B.

D. 0. BOYGB;

CAR LOADING APPARATUS. A No. 503,334. Patented Aug. 15, 1393.

IIIIIIIHIHHIIII WITNESSES: INVENTR @ru/2z C yc.

c aal/4W @if M7 ATTORNEYS.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

DARWIN C. BOYGE, OF QUINNIMONT, VEST VIRGINIA.

CAR-LOADING APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 503,364, 'dated August 15, 1893.

Application tiled April 8, 1893. Serial No, 469,499. (No model.)

To all whom t may concern,.-

Be it known that I, DARWIN C. BOYCE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Quinnimont, in the county of Fayette and State of West Virginia, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Car-Loading Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

Myinvention relates to the improvement of mechanism for loading cars and the objects of my invention are to provide a simple, reliable and effective mechanism by means of which box cars may be readily and uniformly loaded with coal or other material; to so construct and operate said mechanism as to provide for the proper distribution of the coal within the car to admit of the conveyer being supported at various angles and to produce other improvements which will be more specifically pointed out hereinafter. These objects I accomplish in the manner illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improved coal loading apparatus showing for the sake of clearness, one of t-he conveyer frame sides partly broken away. Fig. 2 is a front elevation of my improved loading apparatus shown within a car. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the operating engine and connected parts. Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail view of the automatically end loading chute and Fig. 5 is a detail view in elevation of one of the adjustable prop holders.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

2 represents a conveyer frame which consists essentially of two normally horizontal parallel side beams 3 connected by a bottom plate 4 the latter extending from the rear end of the conveyer frame to a point in the for ward end portion thereof and a central partition plate 5 which is supported between said side beams at the center of their height and which extends from the rear end portion thereof to a point in the forward end portion of said frame.

6 and 7 represent vertical frame standards which are arranged on opposite sides of the conveyer frame and 3 represents oppositely located frame arms which extend rearwardly from the rear frame posts 6 and has mounted in bearings thereon a cross shaft 9 which extends beneath the rear end portion of the conveyer frame 2 and carries supporting wheels 10 upon which the rear end portion of the conveyer frame rests and is adapted to travel.

Supported from opposite sides of the for ward portion of the conveyer frame 2 are suitable reels or spools 11 which are adapted to have secured thereto and wound thereon the ends of supporting chains 12 which extending upwardly pass over pulleys 13, said pulleys being carried on the end portions of a transverse shaft 14: each end of the latter being journaled as shown in a traveling bracket 15. Each of these brackets l5 is mounted on suitable track wheels 85 which rest and are adapted to travel upon the upper sides of horizontal frame beams 36 which extend in the direction of the length of the conveyer beams 3.

Supported upon suitable hangers 16 which depend from the under side of the frame 2 at a point preferably in front of the center of the length thereof is a suitable engine 17 of which 1S represents the steam supply pipe. This engine through its piston 19, connecting rod 2O and crank shaft 2l rotates a gear wheel 22 on said shaft. Supported in suitable bearings 23 in rear of said crank shaft is a shaft 24 which carries on one end a gear wheel 25, which gears with the crank shaft wheel 22. This shaft 2l also carries on its opposite end a sprocket wheel 26 and upon its central por tion a gear wheel 27 thelatter being keyed to slide upon said shaft. y This wheel 27 is loosely embraced as shown in Fig. 3 of thedrawiugs by the bifurcated end of a lever 28, the latter extending laterally outward and being pivotally connected with a lever arm 29 one end of which is pivoted at 30 to the bottom plate 31 of the engine supporting hangers.

To the outer side of one of the frame beams 3 is pivoted above the engine sprocket wheel 26 a double sprocket wheel 33 which is connected with the wheel 26 by a chain 34.

Journaled in the forward end portions of the conveyer frame side pieces 3 is a transverse shaft 35, one of the outer projecting ends of which carries a sprocket wheel 36 which is connected with a double sprocket wheel 33 by a driving chain 37. The shaft 35 carries on the inner sides of the conveyer frame side pieces, sprocket wheels 40 over which run parallel couveyer chains 41, said IOO conveyor chains extending parallel with and above and below the central partition plate portion 0f a rearwardly extending rack bar 1 45, the rear end of the latter being pivot-ally connected with the framework 6.

47 represents a chute which is arranged above and at an angle from the rear porti-on of the conveyor frame and which may lead to a coal screen or tipple or other desirable feeding place.`

Leading downwardly and upwardly from the open under side of the forward end porf tion of the conveyer frame are oppositely located fixed chutes 49, the latter beingarran ged f on opposite sides of the center of the width of said conveyer frame. outer end portions of each of these chutes 49 are fulcrumed the upper and inner end portions of a chute section 50 to the remaining end of which is fulcrumed a chute sect-ion 51.

To the lower and i.

the under side of each of these'chutefsections 51 and at the rear end thereof is aiixed a.

plate 52 which projects past the rear end of said chute section and forms a support when said vsections are open for the outer end of the section 50.

under side and forward end of each of the conveyer frame side pieces 3, is a frame bar 53.

54 represents socket pieces each of which consists as shown in the drawings of a lcenf tral portion 55, which is mounted upon a pivot pin 56 which projects rearwardly from one of i From this portion there the frame bars 53.

project two or more radial vsocket arms 57,` the latter preferably being of dierent lengths l cross plate 52 of the chute sections and thus being made to support said chute sections at the desired incline.

veyer frame at a point 60 in the forward half thereof isthe rear end of a forwardly and downwardly inclined pla-te 61.

The forwardV i portion yof this plate 61 beneath the open forward end portion of the conveyer frame serves as a bottom plate for the inclined chute 62,

the la-tterbeing formed by side plates 63 which To the rise from the sides of said plate 61.

sides 63 of the chute 62 in the forward endA portion of the latter are secured the lower ends of supporting chains 64. These chains extend upwardly above the chute and are connected with the inner and upper ends of outstaat-:4

wardly and thence downwardly extending Weight arms 65, the latter being fulcrumed at points 66 to a cross rod 67 which extends between the frame pieces 53. To this cross rod or bar 67 between the weight arms 65 is secured the upper end portion of a chute end plate 68, the latter depending from said bar and normally closing the front end portion of the chute 62 within which it projects. The weight arms are as shown on the drawings provided on their lower ends at the greatest distance from their fulcrumed points with suitable weights 70, the latter serving to so support said weight arms as to result in the desired elevation of the chute 62. As illustrated in Fig. 2 of the drawings by the position of the right hand chute sections 50 and 51, it is evident that said chute sections may be compactly folded inward one upon the other against the framework of my apparatus by first removing the prop 59. l

The' methodand means of utilizing my improved loading device are as follows: The forward end portion of the apparatus with which are connected the various chutes as d-ei scribed, is adapted when the side chutes are folded inward as above described to be inserted within the doorway 80 of an ordinary box car 81. This-entrance of the conveyor and its chutes within said box car is effected by putting the engine 17 into operation and thereby causing through the gear wheels 22 and 25 a rotation of the shaft 21 and the wheel 27 thereon. This wheel 27 being in Y Y n p gear with the rack 45Y it will readily be seen Extending vertically downward from the ing upon the rollers or track wheels l0 andA in the forward movement of the traveling brackets or carriages 85 upon the beams 86. The conveyer having thus been sufficiently fed forward, I may cause a disengagement of the rack 45 and its driving wheel 2.7 by an outward movement of the lever 29 which must result as will readily be seen in the slid-ing p of the wheel 27 out of engagement with said rack bar. The engine being set iinl motion it is evident that the coal or other material .l which vis distributed within the rear portion Fulcrumed to the under side of theconof the conveyer frame from the chtite 47 will be carried by the conveying apparatus consisting in the usual 'manner of the chains 41 and cross piece 43 to the front end of the conveying frame where the material thus carried forward will be discharged partially within v, the fixed side chutes 49 and partial-ly within the front chute 62. The folding side chutes having been previously unfolded to the position indicated at the left side of the apparatus in Fig. 2, it will be seen that such coal or other material as is directed from the chutes 49 must pass outward and downward through said side chutes, thus delivering the-coal into IOO IIO

the car on opposite sides of the doorway. That portion of the coal which is distributed into the chute G2 will collect therein until sufflcient weight is attained to overcome the weight of the arm 65, when said chute 62 will drop downward turning on its hinged rod and result in the discharge of the coal through the forward end of the chute. This downward movement of said chute must result in the arms being lifted to the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 4c of the drawings. When the coal ceases to iiow within the chute G2, it is evident that the weight of the arm 65 will result in their dropping to their normal positions and in the consequent elevation of the chute 62 and closing of its forward end by the plate G8. From this method of operation, it will readily7 be seen that coal from a screen or other point may convey directly to a box car and that the chutes will distribnte the same therein in a substantially uniform manner.

By the use of my machine the ends of the car may be as completely and quickly loaded as the central portion thereof and by setting the chutes at varying angles which may be accomplished by inserting the prop 59 into dii-ferent socket projections 57, the points of distribution may be changed.

By rotating the reels 11 and winding or unwinding the chains 12 thereon, it will be seen that the conveyer frame may be raised or lowered to different angles thus admitting of the adjustment of said conveyer frame to facilitate its use under varying circumstances.

It is evident that the conveying and discharging apparatus herein described may be employed for other purposes than those herein specified where it is desired to convey or discharge coal or otherl material from one point to another.

It is evident that coal or other material might be discharged from the rear end of the conveyer frame into an suitable receptacle below by reversing the movement of the engine and thereby reversing the direction in which the conveyer chains are traveling.

From the construction which I have shown herein and described it is evident thata simple, convenient and reliable apparatus is provided which will greatly facilitate the loading of box cars and the distribution of the load therein.

Having now fully described my invention, what l claim, and` desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a car loading apparatus the combination with asuitable framework, of a conveyer frame, an endless conveyer therein, rotary supports 10 on said framework upon the rear portion of which said con veyer frame is adapted to rest and run, traveling shaft carrying brackets or carriage 15 upon said framework above said conveyer frame, suitable pulleys 13 on said shaft, chains 12 passing over said pulleys and connected with reels on said conveyer frame and an engine 17 supported from said conveyer frame and means fordriving said conveyer from said engine substantially as and for the purpose specified.

2. In a car loading apparatus the combination of the framework, a sliding conveyer frame supported thereby, an endless conveyer in said frame, an engine supported from said frame, a shaft 21 operated substantially as described from said engine, a gear wheel 27 on said shaft and a rack bar l:if connected with said supporting framework, the teeth of said rack bar being in engagement with said wheel 27 substantially as and for the purpose specified.

3. Ina car loading apparatus the combination with a suitably supported sliding conveyer frame and an endless conveyer running therein, of fixed chutes 49 leading downward and outward from thc forward end of said conveyer frame, and jointed chute sections 50 and 51 jointedly connected with said fixed sections 49 and means for supporting said jointed sections at an incline from the conveyer substantially as and for the purpose specilied.

4. In a car loading apparatus the combination with a suitably supported sliding conveyer frame and an endless conveyer running therein as described, of supported fixed chutes 49 leading outward and downward from the open forward end portion of the conveyer frame, jointed side chute sections jointedly connected with said chute 49 and communieating therewith, a chute 62 supported beneath said forward end of the conveyer and having its inner end pivoted to the frame of the latter, a permanent end gate 68 which normally closes the outer end of said chute 62 as described, pivoted weight arms 65 fulcrumed above said chute and supporting chains connecting the upper ends of said weight arms with said chute G2 substantially as and for the purpose specified.

DARWIN C. ROYCE.

In presence of-u A. K. RAMsBURG, G. A. Pinon.

IOO 

